Metropolitan Council City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Story
Council approves $20.7M transit project, 2027 budget with 2% tax increase
Community Concerns Regarding Development and Parkland Preservation
Preliminary 2027 Budget and Property Tax Levies
Affordable Housing Project-Based Vouchers
Enterprise Asset Management System Contract Amendment
Metro G-Line Arterial BRT Construction Contract Award
Metro Green Line Extension Project Update
Metro Transit Safety and Security Action Plan Update
Metro Plant Incinerator Groundbreaking
Votes (4)
Adoption of Preliminary 2027 Operating Budget and Setting 2026 Property Tax Levy Upper Limit (Business Item 2026-125)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Morales [11:50] · Seconded by Unknown [12:00]
Council Member Morales presented the proposed preliminary budget, which authorizes an overall property tax levy of $99.935 million, representing a 2% increase from the previous year. This budget had undergone review by various committees and was consistent with prior council presentations. It was noted that this is the first step in the budget adoption process, with further adjustments and public comment incorporation planned for October, leading to a final adoption in December. The council retains the ability to reduce, but not increase, the property tax levies set at this preliminary stage.
Awarding 100 Bring It Home Project-Based Vouchers to Five Projects (Business Item 2026-56)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Tony Carter [17:15] · Seconded by Unknown [17:21]
Council Member Tony Carter moved to award 100 Bring It Home project-based vouchers to five affordable housing projects. This statewide rental assistance program, authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023, provides assistance tied directly to specific housing units rather than individuals. The funding stems from a $30.9 million grant from Minnesota Housing. Proposals prioritized households with children and low incomes. The awarded projects include Autumn Ridge (Brooklyn Park), Belair Apartments (White Bear Lake), Botnau Ridge phase 2 and 3 (Maple Grove), Maple Pond Homes (Maplewood), and Tesman Ridge (Brooklyn Park).
Amendment to Contract for Enterprise Asset Management System Consulting Services (Business Item 2026-89)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Morales [19:50] · Seconded by Unknown [19:54]
Council Member Morales presented a motion to approve Amendment 4 to contract 22P018 with Turner and Town AMCL, Inc. This amendment increases the contract value by $2.8 million, totaling $5.33 million, to extend professional consulting services for the council's new Enterprise Asset Management System (EAMS). The original contract engaged AMCL as the owner's agent for EAMS, replacing TX base and Oracle WAM. The extension is necessary as the system implementation phase is ongoing and expected to continue for an additional two and a half years into 2029. The motion emphasized AMCL's unique, in-depth familiarity with the project, making their continued support crucial to avoid delays and risks to council operations.
Award of Construction Contract for Metro G-Line Arterial BRT Project (Business Item 2026-151)
Dissent: Council Member Barber [21:40] recused herself from voting due to her position as the director of public works for the city of St. Paul.
Moved by Council Member Chamblas [21:25] · Seconded by Unknown [21:35]
Council Member Chamblas presented a motion to award a construction contract for the Metro G-Line arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project to Meer Contracting, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $20,726,416. The project encompasses 32 BRT stations along an 11.5-mile corridor, following Robert Street and Rice Street, connecting the Dakota County Northern Service Center through downtown St. Paul to the Little Canada Transit Station, including multiple cities in Ramsey and Dakota Counties. The scope also covers fiber communication infrastructure, pedestrian, and signal improvements. A same-week council action was requested to ensure a timely start. Council Member Barber recused herself due to a conflict of interest, while other council members celebrated the project's significance for regional transportation.
Notable Quotes (8)
The proposed preliminary budget has been discussed in transportation, community development, environmental service, and management committee and presented to the council on August 12th. The proposed budget is consistent with the presentation to the council.
In our final budget, the council could reduce but not increase the property tax levies adopted today in the preliminary budget.
Bring it home projectbased assistance will be tied directly to a specific unit as opposed to traditional tenantbased assistance which is tied to an individual family.
The five proposals recommended four bring it home project-based awards will support affordable housing and assist in providing increased housing choice for the region's lowincome families.
The council's first contracted with AMCL Inc. via competitively procured contract 22P018 to serve as a council's owner's agent for the procurement and implementation of a new enterprise asset management system which will replace TX base and Oracle WAM due to changes within the EA EMS project and broader ERP program.
AMCL developed the fundamental materials underlying the EM EMS project, including requests for proposal, business requirements, and process flows, and has a unique in-depth familiarity with the council's asset management program and stakeholders that a new vendor could not readily re replicate.
The Metro G-Line construction contract includes work at 32 BRT stations along an 11.5 mile corridor following Robert Street and Rice Street from the Dakota County Northern Service Center through downtown St. Paul to the Little Can Canada Transit Station in the cities of West St. Paul, St. Hall, Maplewood, Roseville, and Little Canada in Ramsey County and Dakota County.
I just want to celebrate this and uh thank council members who have been a part of the metropolitan council for their support of advocacy from Ramsey County to ensure that this line would serve Rice and Robert. Um, we're thrilled that the construction contract, if passes today, will be awarded and that construction can begin so that the service will be able to enhance all of the transportation we have uh, running north and south and connecting our lines as it will.
Ordinances & Resolutions (33)
Statement read at the beginning of the meeting.
Met Council plan referenced by Anne Mazwanske Takahashi.
Met Council master plan referenced by Anne Mazwanske Takahashi.
Met Council plan currently being worked on, referenced by Anne Mazwanske Takahashi.
Preliminary 2027 budget and property tax levies.
Adopting the Metropolitan Council's preliminary 2027 unified operating budget.
Adopting the Metropolitan Council's proposed 2026 property tax levy for general purpose for certification to the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue.
Adopting the Metropolitan Council's proposed 2026 property tax levy for general purpose for certification to the county auditors.
Adopting a proposed 2026 property tax levy for the livable communities demonstration account in the metropolitan livable communities fund.
Adopting a proposed 2026 property tax levy for the taxbase revitalization account for the livable communities act.
Certifying a property tax levy for 2026 for debt services on issued and to be issued transit bonds.
Certifying a property tax levy for 2026 for debt services on issued and to be issued park bonds.
Summary of the preliminary budget provided to council members.
Budget version to be presented in October.
Final budget version to be adopted in December.
Awarding 100 Bring It Home project-based vouchers to five projects.
Authorized the Bring It Home rental assistance program.
Authorized Met Council to accept a grant from Minnesota Housing for Bring It Home program.
Updated Metro H's administration plan to include Bring It Home policy.
Issued for Bring It Home project-based vouchers.
Amendment 4 to contract 22P018 with Turner and Town AMCL, Inc.
Contract with Turner and Town AMCL, Inc. for Enterprise Asset Management System (EAMS) consulting services.
Broader Enterprise Resource Planning program affecting EAMS project.
Older system being replaced by EAMS.
Older system being replaced by EAMS.
Award of a construction contract for Metro G-Line arterial BRT project.
Construction contract for Metro G-Line arterial BRT project.
Metro Transit's strategic framework.
Update on connecting bus network with Green Line.
Metro Transit's comprehensive plan for improving safety and security.
Previous program that sunseted, predecessor to the Community Response Team project.
Formally introduced the Metro Transit Police Department.
Plan related to the incinerator project.